Soule

It is nearly six on this not so typical Friday evening, dark and gloomy with sleet in the forecast. I am circling downtown Mankato in search of CJ Mulder's house. A stalker's worst nightmare, hidden among the older residential neighborhoods where the streets jog west at every intersection, I finally find his place after a phone call for directions. CJ is waiting on the corner wearing his signature driving cap. Nicknamed the "dad" of the group by fellow band mates, he is the man behind the lead guitar on stage, and off stage he is the organizational activist and diplomatic chair of the band.

Our chariot waits to take us to this evening's venue, Mankato's Bandana Brewery. With the equipment already loaded, CJ and I hop into the van, the wheels of a musician before it becomes a business - an old, gray and rust conversion van large enough to live in, should you ever find yourself without a home, perfect for the traveling life of a musician.

"Be careful with the door. It's a little tricky. You have to close it slowly." Thanks for the warning, dad. Despite my apprehension, I cautiously closed the door and clutched the tattered seats, praying that the door will remain attached long enough to reach the venue.

6:17 p.m.
With the door still intact, we arrive safely. Close behind is the benefactor of the band's impressive vocals, Martha Roisen. After an afternoon of work at Cactus Tattoo, Martha is ready to help set up the stage and try to convince CJ to get another tattoo. We unload the guitars, drums, boxes, equipment, bags everything that a band needs to have a successful performance.

CJ grabs a label-less juice container, "Look, I brought 'apple juice,'" except, this apple juice smells like the Aunt Weezie's bourbon-soaked booze balls. So that's what they keep in those equipment bags.

6:54 p.m.
With the stage partially assembled, Martha takes a break for a pre-show primping, and soon after, the master of the drums arrives. It's Casey Hochhalter, the rhythmically endowed beer aficionado, and self-proclaimed dork, who is here to begin the complicated process of drum assembly.

Casey has an incredible sense of pride for his instrument, a set of drums that his father once played. Although, he has nearly as much pride for his recently purchased drum cases.

"They're stackable," Casey demonstrates more than once. After a systematic assembly, including multiple steps of stacking, tightening and testing, followed by more adjustments, he shared the most important part of preparing for the performance... checking for elbow clearance. When the rhythm overcomes you, those walls can get in the way.

With most of the stage ready for the show, we scan the promotional materials to see if there are any CDs to sell for the evening, although half of the CDs in the box are from other bands. Yes, they support their fellow artists.

Among the schwag, Casey shows me the empty, yet resealable beer bottles that he has collected, "Here are some souvenirs from our trip to Duluth." They are perfect for storing his homemade beer, which has earned him the alias, "Case of Beer." And, speaking of beer...

7:42 p.m.
It's time to soak up the venue's atmosphere, so we order a round of beers, testing something new that the waitress claims to have a grapefruit aftertaste. Beers for all, compliments of our waitress, just one of the many perks of being with the band.

Soon after, Michael Schwerdtfeger, the band's bassist and contributing songwriter arrives with his fiance, just in time for a few drinks before sound check, a welcomed break from the stresses of planning a wedding.

Molly Dean, a singer-songwriter from Minneapolis was scheduled to open the show, but canceled because of poor driving conditions. Jess Crary and her fiddle were also driving into Mankato from the Twin Cities, but a little freezing rain could not stop her from performing. She skidded into town with enough time to reprimand the band for losing her violin stand.

"Well at least you got a mic stand," Michael's fiance rationalized. The band had mistakenly taken a microphone stand after their performance at the Hard Rock Cafe in Minneapolis.

"Actually, I took that back," CJ admitted. The band has ethics, but they are still missing a violin stand.

8:50 p.m.
"Do you mind if we wait until ten to start the show?" Bandana's manager pushed the show's start time back, knowing his patrons would wait to hear Soule.

9:48 p.m.
There are no nerves before the show. Even the last minute rush to create the set list with their Crayola markers seem more ritualistic than frenzied. With a bonding moment in a group huddle, they finally take the stage.

12:37 a.m.
Soule's fans are mellow and attentive, until the second set begins and the floor is inconsistently adorned with random dancers. Although some songs make it difficult to resist the urge to dance, the songs that feature Crary's fiddling, spawning a dance revolution when of a nontraditional Irish ji - STATIC Magazine, May 2005

The irrepressible act Soule competes Wednesday, March 9th at 8:00 p.m. at the Hard Rock Cafe in Minneapolis, at 7th Street and 1st Avenue, in the Hard Rock Cafe Clash contest finale. The grand prize: two days recording time at the legendary Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, MN, plus a six-month contact with the Hard Rock Cafe to serve as house band - not to mention a little southern Minnesota notoriety to boot!

"We've been so grateful to our friends and family who have trekked all the way up to downtown Minneapolis, round after round, to show their support," said front-woman Martha Roisen.

Twelve bands began the competition early February, and now only two remain: Soule and The Neighborhood Flash. Three bands have been battling it out, week after week, for four weeks. Soule's first bought was on February 9 against the Wheat Farmers and The Rice Channel, two noble adversaries.

Soule put on a stellar performance that night, the support of friends and family from Mankato and elsewhere in southern Minnesota essential to the band's victory. The Hard Rock was packed, nearly exceeding its capacity of 250. Jess Crary's fiddlin' in "Another Man's Wife" sent the crowd into a cacophonous tizzy and by the end of it all, the entire place was on its feet dancing with the girls from Soule on "Strawberry Wine," featuring CJ Mulder's sultry vocals.

The four first-round winners met at the semifinal round on March 2, which had Soule up against Scarlet Haze, Summit Ave and The Neighborhood Flash, where Soule put on another amazing performance. The Hard Rock was packed once again, the audience in its finest dancing form. Martha Roisen's vocal stylings on Martin Sexton's "Glory Bound" left the audience captivated with chills, while Casey Hochhalter's drumming and Michael Schwerdtfeger's funky bass grooves kept things rocking throughout the set.

"The bands in this competition have been amazing! It's been great to connect with other area musicians," said guitar player, singer and songwriter CJ Mulder.

Cafe Clash sponsors include the Hard Rock Cafe, Drive 105, Pachyderm Studios, the Onion and Iceland Air.

The final round promises to be full of excitement - Soule is hopeful that friends and family will come out in droves. For more information, visit Soule online at www.souleband.com. Soule is also a part of the Applauze High Note Series this month. For more information on their upcoming performances in Owatonna, turn to page 30. - Applauze Magazine, March 2005

Mankato-based band Soule will compete 8 p.m. today in the final round of Cafe Clash battle of the bands at the Hard Rock Cafe, 600 Hennepin Avenue S., Minneapolis.

Soule will battle The Neighborhood Flash for a six-month contract for Hard Rock Cafe house band and two days of studio time at Pachyderm Studio. Runner-up will win one day of studio time. - Mankato Free Press, March 2005

Mankato-based Soule lays down melodies that are as flavorful and chilled out as the Absolut Citron in Owen Wilson's refrigerator.

Check them out at 8 p.m. Saturday in Beaner's Central, 324 N. Central Ave.

The fivesome's most recent disc, "Not to be Had for the Wanting," features a lead singer who has a bit of Aimee Mann about her. Martha Roisen wails over easygoing fiddle-accented rock/pop tunes about demons and lust and singing frogs and stuff. The show costs $5. Call 624-5957. - Duluth News Tribune, February 2005

The only thing better than a complimentary CD is a complementary CD with great music. That is what you will get when you purchase your tickets to the Dead of Winter Jam at the Kato Ballroom. The CD features one track from each perform in the line-up, including Ian Hilmer, Trampled by Turtles, 3 in a Tree and Soule. The compilation showcases the unique styles of each group, while establishing common ground in sheer musical talent. These band members are actually worthy of the title "musicians."
Ian Hilmer's "End of the Rope" hooks you with a snake-charmer bass line coupled with lyrical observations of how it is "hard to look up when you're being looked down upon."

The next track introduces you to the bluegrass approach of Trampled by Turtles. Their song "Ain't No Use in Tryin'" is classic and folksy. Whatever you call their style, you cannot deny that these artists can play.

3 in a Tree capitalizes on the retro revival in their "70's song," which features the poppy funk of the ear and some curious guitar solos that leave you craving a live version.
The fourth band on the ticket is the soulful rock of the group Soule. Their song, "Closer to You" reminds me of Natalie Merchant and her 10,000 maniacs, but ultimately it introduces you to a unique style that this band owns.

This CD is a teaser for what is destined to be an amazing evening of performances. Check out the show on Friday, January 28th at the Kato Ballroom. - STATIC Magazine, January 2005

Owatonna - A Mankato-area band will be in town for a performance at the Owatonna Eagles Club Friday.
In 2002, the band Soule began as what the group describes as "five 20-somethings from Mankato." Singer, guitarist CJ Mulder said that the band first played coffee shops in the Mankato area.

"After playing a while, we thought we'd get a band together," he said.

This month, the band released its first CD, Not to be Had for the Wanting.

The group has been described as a mixture of blues, jazz and folk rock. According to singer, guitar player Martha Roisen, the band can't even be labeled, even from one song to another.

"It's pretty different between the songs, "Roisen said of their debut album.

"When CJ writes, the songs seem to be more... folksy, bluesy, gypsy type things."

When singer and bassist Michael "Shorty" Schwerdtfeger writes the songs, Roisen said, music sounds "kind of poppy."
Regardless of interpretation of any individual song, Mulder said that "the music will appeal to everybody." Roisen agreed.

"We try to keep it as relaxed on stage as possible," she said. "We enjoy playing together and I think the crowd can see that."

If you go: Soule CD Release Party, Owatonna Eagles Club, 8:30 p.m., Admission is free. - Owatonna People's Press, James Anderson

…Another band that’s drawing attention with a new CD this month is Soule. STATIC is happy to present their CD release party Saturday October 23rd at Bandana Brewery (Mankato). Trust me, you don’t want to miss this. It could well be one of those nights where, years later, you can say, “I was there when…” There aren’t enough groups fronted by really good female lead singers – and too often when she’s strong the rest of the band doesn’t match up. Soule has the goods all the way around. Think of Natalie Merchant fronting Beck and his band, with the confidence that accompanies a slate of solid original songs… - STATIC Magazine, October 2004

MANKATO - Four Soule, the Mankato band about to release its first CD, success is all about chemistry.

“If someone doesn’t fit with the rest of the band, they just won’t work,” guitarist CJ Mulder says about how the band came together. “We’re all friends. We all stick together.”

And so it goes for bandmates Mulder, Casey Hochhalter, Martha Roisen, Jess Crary and Mike Schwerdtfeger.

They hang out together, go to college together, hunt and fish together - well, the guys do. They liken themselves to a family. A nd they hope their family sticks together, for a long, long time, or at least as long as they still get paid to play music together.

On Saturday night, the band will host its first CD-release party at Bandana Brewery, an event they hope will help introduce them to the community.

Sure, they’ve played a ton of local shows and dozens more in Minneapolis. But they’re serious about this music thing, and they're hoping the release of their CD “Not to be Had for the Wanting” - a collection of nine songs that may remind you a little bit of the Cowboy Junkies - will launch them into bigger venues and more stable music careers. The birth the of Soule (pronounce SOUL-ee, and named after a neighbor’s dog) occurred about two years ago. Hochhalter, the drummer, met Mulder, the guitar player, while both attended open-mic sessions in town. A few months later, they met Schwerdtfeger, the bass player. And about a year into things they gave Roisen an audition. A few months after that, fiddle player Crary was added.

Roisen provides the band’s vocal footprint. Hochhalter, Schwerdtfeger and Mulder brought her in for an “audition” one day after hearing her sign at open-mic sessions around town.

“She blew me away,’ Hochhalter said.

The guys in the band remain in awe of the big voice that comes out of Roisen's’ petite frame. Indeed, it is her voice that grabs the listener when first experiencing Soule.
Her voice is smooth and powerful and believes her age. She is only 22. But on songs such as “Demon”, where she singes “you smell like cigarettes when you get home but you don’t smoke, your kisses taste like fine red wine. Don’t you know I’m a poor girl and I never drink that kind,” leave you with the sense this is the voice of a woman who is quite used to being done wrong.

With Roisen on board, all that was left was to add the fiddler. Crary, a friend of the band, was the last to join, but bandmates say she adds much to the sound and chemistry.
“Now I have some estrogen to bathe in once in a while,” Roisen jokes.

Musically, Hochhalter says the fiddle addition wasn’t an obvious one.

“We never really considered adding a violin to the band, ‘ he said, but the strings have the effect of filling space the band wasn’t aware needed filling.

Soule’s live shows, band members say, are an event that allows the Soule family to reach out to the audience. They need that connection - that combined sense of energy - to take their live show where it needs to go. Roisen says there is much goofing around, and much interaction with the crowed.

Today, they’re hoping things take off for them. Cutting their first CD and having the release party was, in Mulder's words, “kind of a mark of seriousness.”

Added Hochhalter, “With this CD, we’ll have something to show for ourselves if (Soule) goes nowhere.”

But don't’ count on that, at least not for a while. The band
members plan to stick it out for a while a nd see where it takes them. So far they’ve played all over town at coffee shops and bars, and in bigger venues such as the Fine Line Music Cafe.

They hope their following - and the demand - will grow to something bigger. - Mankato Free Press, October 2004

One of the more upcoming bands in the region has recently just released their new album after months of fans anticipating the release. I am happy to report that “Not to Be Had for the Wanting” was worth the wait. “Ruth Louise”, the first track on the album has a hook to it that will draw you in right from the start. Certainly only the artists themselves could tell you the meaning behind their music, but the theme behind “Ruth Louise” seems to be a universal one… loving in vain. Most everyone has, is or will experience the profound complexities of loving someone who doesn’t, or can’t return that love, and it’s the human connection Soule seems to make with their music right to the listener’s soul that makes it so beautiful.

The theme of love is carried throughout the course of the album, with a mellow, sultry feel that’s as powerful as it is catching. At times, a few tracks had elements reminiscent of Beck’s Mutation album, with Martha Roisen’s rich vocals bordering on the capacity of Lucinda Williams and Fiona Apple. Other tracks have beautiful Celtic elements blending elements of blues, jazz, funk, and pop to create a unique style with something for almost any musical taste. So much so, in fact, that it’s hard to pinpoint Soule as being a certain “type” of music. Being open to so many styles is really what makes them so unique.

Blending their talents, I would have to say that Soule has really broken ground to produce a style that’s all their own.
You man have seen them performing live around the area, but this will be your first chance to actually take it home with you. Check out their website, now up and running at www.souleband.com to learn more or for ordering info. Be sure to check the Applauze Out and About calendar as well to find out where you can see them live in the area. A perfect opportunity to pick up the new album can be found during the album’s release party at Bandana Brewery in Mankato on Saturday, October 23, at 9:30 p.m. Our new office in the Madison East Center will also have the album for sale here while supplies last. - Applauze Magazine, October 2004

Mankato - The latest stage of RibFest is the return of the second stage.

From the start of the downtown festival in 1997 to last year, RibFest's musical offernings on the mainstage were supplemented by a second smaller stage. It was usually a difference of volume - bands such as Martin Zellar and the Hardways would blast out on the main stage while smaller, softer - and often local - acts would take the smaller stage.
Organizers nixed the second stage last year on the assumption the main stage held more interest.

"We kind of underestimated the need to have it," said Midwest Wireless Civic Center Marketing Manager Eric Jones, who said he'd heard from several attendees that the stage was missed.

"I think they appreciated having an alternative to the mainstage," he said. So this year, in addition to returning faces such as Martin Zellar, Boogie Wonderland and Dazy Head Mazy, the side stage will feature Lost Walleye Orchestra, Paul Durenberger and Soule.

From the band's point of view, it's a good opportunity to get where they want to go. Nate Carlson signed on in June as manager for the local band Soule.

"They just wanted to take this more serious, to another level," he said of the four-piece band that wanted to take its exposure up a notch or two.

Carlson has made good, booking the band in some Twin Cities venues and shows going locally at the Wine Cafe, Bandana Brewery and Sugar Room.

"We're just really hitting it pretty hard," Carlson said, and RibFest is a logical and welcome step toward a higher profile, the next step of which will be a CD release in September.

"The town will hear them more and be interested, hopefully," Carlson said.

The RibFest gig works for both sides - Soule gets a big built0-in audience, and the festival gets a band that doesn't break the bank.

On the main stage, Dazy Head Mazy headlines Thursday; boogie Wonderland on Friday; Zellar and the Hardways Saturday; and Eagle River on Sunday.

Other new developments at this year's festival include a wine tent sponsored by Columbia Crest wines, more seating, new ribbers and a Vikings event on Thursday. Between 5 and 7 p.m., coach Mike Tice and the Minnesota Vikings will be dining at the RibFest or inside Mankato Place. Jones said it's not yet clear if the visit will involve autographs and interacting with fans. - Mankato Free Press, August 2004